Fernando Alonso narrowly beat Carlos Sainz Jnr in the United States Grand Prix Driver of the Weekend poll – just as he did in the race.
This was Alonso’s third win in the past six races, taking 43.6% of the vote, while Sainz has never previously been voted Driver of the Weekend.
Fernando Alonso’s United States Grand Prix weekend
Despite strong practice pace, McLaren struggled in qualifying with Alonso their highest starter in 12th place in a car he later stated wasn’t quick enough to make Q3.
Nonetheless he made the most of fresh tyres at the start and took the outside line at turn one – avoiding the Vettel-Hulkenberg-Bottas clash – to move into the points places. He spent the race hunting down Sainz until Massa fell back during the VSC to split the pair.
This inspired Alonso, and after first barging Massa out of the way he later eased past Sainz to score a solid fifth place.
Pace above better cars and awesome overtaking, showing why he is still the best.
Honourable mention to Carlos Sainz, holding a much faster Williams with worn soft tyres to get sixth with a Toro Rosso.
Mocho_Pikuain
In the closing stages of the Grand Prix I said to myself that whoever won the Alonso and Sainz battle would probably get my vote for driver of the weekend, it was Alonso who finished ahead and after looking back at the rest of the weekend I decided that Alonso would be my choice for driver of the weekend.
Alonso had another one of his good starts to move up the field and then managed to finish fifth with some forceful overtakes late on.
PJA (@pja)
Yet while there was a considerable amount of praise for Alonso, most comments were from people who hadn’t voted for him – all for the same reason, though he did receive some support.
Alonso manhandled Massa; if Verstappen had done what Alonso did there would be more fuming at the next drivers briefing.
Bart
Fair play to Alonso for his finishing result, I just don’t like how he got it. He drove a driver off the track and made a mockery of the track limits.
Philip (@philipgb)
And Alonso, well, he took advantage of the lack of enforcement of track limits (and why shouldn’t he?) but his last few laps showed him at his aggressive best.
hyoko
United States Grand Prix winners and losers
Sainz had a great qualifying, gained places as he avoided trouble at start, lucked into a favourable position by pitting under VSC and then held off faster cars for a long time until finally running out of tyres.
John Beak (@johnbeak)
Going through Q3 and qualifying tenth was outstanding, but finishing a solid sixth really was impressive in a car that’s under-developed with a 2015 engine.
Jayfreese Knight (@jeff1s)
Hamilton He was flawless all weekend from the first press conference.
Jureo (@jureo)
Perez did well to recover from being speared into oblivion by Kvyat.
Hugh (@hugh11)
Interestingly this vote was in stark contrast to FOM’s driver of the day poll which was won by Max Verstappen, despite the Red Bull driver misjudging a pit stop and not finishing the race. Less than 1% of F1 Fanatic readers agreed with FOM’s poll.
I am a massive Verstappen fan but DOTD was obviously either Sainz or Alonso this weekend. They might as well get rid of it all together this way.
Arnoud van Houwelingen
2016 Driver of the Weekend winners
2016 United States Grand Prix
- Alonso beats Sainz to Driver of the Weekend win
- Virtual Safety Car blamed for US GP anti-climax
- 2016 United States Grand Prix team radio transcript
- 2016 United States Grand Prix Predictions Championship results
- Top ten pictures from the 2016 United States Grand Prix
OmarRoncal - Go Seb!!! (@)
28th October 2016, 19:15
So th percentages were 46 Alonso , 45 Sainz and 9 for all the rest?
PMccarthy_is_a_legend (@pmccarthy_is_a_legend)
28th October 2016, 19:17
Such a waste of talent, Alonso is at the peak of his powers and we don’t get to see him fighting at the front.
Friederike (@rike)
28th October 2016, 19:52
Yeah I think he is a lot more likeable than in his early years, it’s a joy to see him drive
Patrick (@paeschli)
28th October 2016, 22:57
‘Fighting’ at the front is a waste of talent.
I rather see the best drivers fighting in the midfield than them cruising at the front.
Mashiat (@mashiat)
28th October 2016, 19:18
Rosberg has more DOTW wins than Hamilton. Never thought I’d see the day…
Traverse
28th October 2016, 19:59
Well it dispels the moronic idea that this website is biased in favour of British drivers.
Patrick (@paeschli)
28th October 2016, 22:57
And it dispels the moronic idea that Rosberg doesn’t deserve it.
AntoineDeParis (@antoine-de-paris)
28th October 2016, 20:01
2012 season was the last time I enjoyed Fernando’s performance, but I wish him all the best of course.
trrf
28th October 2016, 22:03
what about 2013? but still 2012 to this day the last good seasons without 1 team/driver dominance
montreal95 (@montreal95)
28th October 2016, 23:37
@antoine-de-paris Really? You don’t think he’s been driving well after 2012? Alonso’s 2012 was one of the greatest seasons by any driver in the history of F1, but even if the subsequent seasons weren’t to the same level, still they were excellent by him. Who, in the same machinery, could’ve done better?
Silver
28th October 2016, 20:22
So until now we have: 3 DOTW for Riccardo and 3 DOTW for Alonso… In fact, in my point of view, these two have been the most brilliant drivers during this season.
Silver
28th October 2016, 20:22
Sorry, 4 for RIC